The Kansas City Chiefs are limping toward the finish line of a brutal 2025 season, and their latest outing-a 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans-only deepened the wounds. With a Christmas Day game looming and a third different quarterback set to start, the Chiefs have tumbled down the NFL power rankings, and it’s not hard to see why.
Let’s take a closer look at where things stand and what the rankings are telling us about a franchise that’s suddenly facing a hard reset.
NFL.com: No. 21 (Down from 20)
There was a time when losing Patrick Mahomes might’ve been a blow-but not a death sentence. That time is gone.
Mahomes’ torn ACL was the tipping point, but the Chiefs were already teetering before that injury. Then came Gardner Minshew’s knee injury, and what we saw against the Titans was a team stripped of its identity.
The Chiefs used to be the kind of team that could weather adversity and still find a way to win. Now, without Mahomes’ magic to mask deeper issues, the cracks are fully exposed.
Whether it’s offensive rhythm, defensive consistency, or just overall execution, the problems are stacking up. And while the Chiefs may not have much left to play for this season, these final games are painting a clear picture of what needs to change in 2026.
ESPN: No. 22 (Down from 18)
One bright spot in an otherwise dim year? Rookie left tackle Josh Simmons.
He only played eight games before a wrist injury ended his season, but the first-rounder showed serious promise. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he allowed a pressure rate of just 6.6%-the third-lowest among all left tackles and the second-best mark by a rookie since 2018 (minimum 150 pass blocks).
That’s no small feat, especially considering the chaos around him. Simmons looks like a long-term solution on Mahomes’ blindside, and while his season was cut short, the Chiefs can at least feel good about hitting on that pick.
The Athletic: No. 25 (Down from 22)
The big question swirling around Kansas City now: Just how much did Mahomes cover up? The answer, it turns out, is a lot.
We’ve always known Mahomes was elite, but this season has been a harsh reminder of just how dependent the Chiefs have become on his brilliance. Without him, the offense sputters, the defense looks vulnerable, and the team as a whole seems to lack direction.
Mahomes didn’t just elevate the offense-he elevated the entire franchise. And now that he's sidelined, the flaws are front and center.
Sports Illustrated: No. 32 (Down from 23)
SI didn’t hold back, ranking the Chiefs dead last and throwing some serious shade in the process. The commentary didn’t focus on on-field performance so much as off-field decisions, suggesting the franchise is paying the price for abandoning its home base.
Whether or not you buy into that narrative, the bottom line is this: the Chiefs are in free fall, and right now, they look like a team that’s lost its way.
Pro Football Talk: No. 22 (Down from 21)
This ranking came with a side of metaphor, comparing the Chiefs’ current plight to a Kansas Grinch stealing Christmas. The takeaway?
Things are looking pretty green-and not in a festive way. It’s a nod to both envy and money, and perhaps a subtle jab at the franchise’s off-field moves.
But on the field, the message is clear: this team isn’t who they used to be.
CBS Sports: No. 23 (Down from 21)
“No Patrick Mahomes, no compete.” That’s the blunt assessment from CBS, and it’s hard to argue.
The Chiefs looked flat in Tennessee, unable to generate much of anything on either side of the ball. Without Mahomes, there’s no spark.
Without Gardner Minshew, there’s barely a pulse. It was a lifeless showing-and that’s becoming a trend.
Yahoo! Sports: No.
24 (Down from 16)
Yahoo!
painted a bleak picture of what’s to come, calling the final stretch of the Chiefs’ season “depressing.” With Minshew also out, the team is expected to turn to Chris Oladokun-a name most fans probably hadn’t heard until Sunday.
The Titans dominated the Chiefs, and with two games left, there’s little reason to expect a turnaround.
And if this is indeed the end of Travis Kelce’s legendary career, it’s a tough way to go out. One of the greatest tight ends of all time deserves more than this kind of sendoff.
The Sporting News: No. 22 (Down from 21)
The Chiefs are missing too much to compete. No Mahomes.
No Minshew. No top wideout.
And the defense? No pass rush.
That’s a recipe for disaster, and the Titans took full advantage. For a team that once prided itself on resilience, the lack of fight was startling.
USA Today: No. 26 (Down from 21)
Even in defeat, Travis Kelce found a way to make history. His lone six-yard catch in Nashville gave him 800 receiving yards on the season-for the 12th year in a row.
That ties Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 800-yard seasons by a tight end or wide receiver. It’s a testament to Kelce’s consistency, durability, and greatness, even as the rest of the team crumbles around him.
FOX Sports: No. 23 (Down from 21)
FOX zeroed in on a key question: why did the defense collapse without Mahomes? It’s a fair point.
Mahomes doesn’t play defense, but his presence changes everything-field position, time of possession, even the confidence of the unit. Without him, the margin for error shrinks, and the defense hasn’t handled that pressure well.
Final Thoughts
The Chiefs are clearly not the same team without Patrick Mahomes-and that’s no surprise.
But what’s become painfully obvious is just how much he’s been holding together. The roster holes, the inconsistent pass rush, the shaky receiver play-it all looks worse without No. 15 under center.
This isn’t just a lost season. It’s a wake-up call. The Chiefs have some serious offseason work ahead, and the clarity they’re getting now-while painful-might be exactly what they need to rebuild the right way.
For now, though, it’s going to be a long winter in Kansas City.